Stringed musical instrument



July 16, 1929- J. N. NOVOTNY STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Filed April 2, 1928 2 Shee ts-Sheet 1 1 0w wh R NM m R. g Mb, Q. 1* mv WV 1 1 .Y f W I J m 83 \v w F mm om t n 4 I1: Nv x o r .W 2w R nw R am mm, W 3v nv WJ R n m% n N F A Q a: um Fa R 2v ww \Lw N o 7.. 1 N N on @N 90 NW. m v BU mm mm. Q nu wv v mm i Q K R s 9 2 9 1 6 l .W u J Filed April 2, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 16, 1929. 1 .11:

UNITED STA JOHN N. NOVOTLIY, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

Application filed April 2, 1928. Serial No. 266',607.

My invention relates to musical instruments and particularly to stringed instruments and has for its object to provide means by means of which the tremolo tone can readily be produced by the novice without the exercise of any appreciable degree of skill.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing a musical instrument with a yieldably supported finger board which may be vibrated in direction toward and from the neck of the instrument, whereby the tremolo effect is procured.

An object of the invention resides in constructing a stringed instrument with the finger board having the two ends thereof resilien tly mounted with respect to the neck of the instrument.

A still further object of the invention resides in providing a pivotal connection be tween the upper end of the finger board and the head of the neck and in maintaining such connection. without play, by means of one or more ofthe strings of the instrument.

A still further object of the invention resides in providing for adjusting the resil iency of the supporting means for the finger (iii board.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear in the following description. the invention resides in the novel combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a. violin illustrating an embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion of the finger board and neck of the violin shown in Fig. 1 and drawn to an enlarged scale.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the bridgeanda portion of the tail piece of the violin illustrated in Fig. 1 and drawn to the same scale as Fig. 2.

Fig. 1 is an inverted view board. bridge and tail piece sheaves, all de tacbed from the violin proper.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the neck, finger-board and a portion of the peg box of the violin shown in Fig. 1 and drawn to the same scale as 2 and 3..

of the finger Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken on line G6 of Fig. 5.

F ig. 7 1s a fragmentary sectional perspective view of the neck of the violin taken online 7 of Fig. 5, the same showing my a 1 H mn. preter t-ml term of ieclr relntmreing means.

a to this tail piece is Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 illustrat inga modified form of the neck reinforcing means.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the finger board illustrating the method of attaching the lower end of the finger board to the neck of the violin.

Fig. 10 is a cross sectional View taken on line 1010 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 9 illustrating a modification of the invention.

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 10 taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary perspective View of the bridge of the violin illustrating the application of the strings thereto.

Fig. 14 a cross sectional view taken on line ld l i of Fig. 5.

Fig. 15, is a perspective view of the block used in adjusting the resiliency of the spring mounting for the lower end of the .finger board.

In the playing of musical instruments, particularly the violin, considerable difficulty is encountered by many players in procuring the tremolo tone, which is so frequently desired to give expression to musical compositions. In some instances, players are entirely. unable to produce this particular tone due to the extreme difficulty encountered and skill required in accomplishing the desired result. lVith my invention this tremolo tone may be produced by an ordinary player substantially the same as is secured by the most competent artists using the technical manual method.

In Fig. 1, I have shown a Violin indicated in its entirety at A and which consists of a body 10 formed with a back 11, top 12 and sides 13. This body has attached to it at one end an end pin 14: which serves as a support for a tail piece 1. A cord 16 attached looped about the end pin 14 and holds the tail piece attached to the body A in the customary manner. At the other end of the body 10 is a neck 17' having the usual shoulder 18 and terminating in a head19 constructed to form a peg box which I have indicated at 20. In this peg box are the usual string tightening pegs 21, 22, 23 and 24 which are alternately disposed in the head 19 so that the finger portions thereof areaccessible for the tuning of the strings of the violin. Upon the head 19 at its junction with the neck 17 is a saddle 25 over which the strings es, 2 and Q9 of the violin pass. These strings are further supported upon a bridge 30 and are attached to the tail piece 15. Strings 26 and 29 extend through slotted openings 31 in'the tail piece best shown in Fig. 3 and are knotted and held in place thereby in the customary manner. The strings 27 and 28 have fastened to them two supplementary strings 34 and 35, knotted connections between said strings 27 34 and 28 35 being shown at 47 and 48. The strings 27 and 28 extend from the pegs 21 and 22 over the bridge 30 to points near the tail piece 15. The strings 34 and pass over small sheaves 32and 33 journaled in the tail piece 15 and extend toward the neck 17 for a purpose hereinafter explained. These two supplementary strings 34 and 35 may be plain, wound or metallic strings as desired; v

The saddle 25 and bridge 36 are so disposed as to leave considerable space between the various strings of the violin and the neck 17. In. this space is positioned a finger board 36 which is resiliently attached to the neck 17 and head 19 and which. is adapted to be vibrated in direction toward and from the neck 17. This finger. board 36 has secured to it by means of rivets 37 a resilienthinge-link 38 including a butt portion 42, spaced arms 39 and 40 connect-ed together by means of a cross member 41. This cross member 41 is formed with two chisel edged port-ions 43 which are adapted to become seated in notches 44 formed in two ebony fulcrum posts 45 and 46 issuing upwardly from the head 19 as best shown in Figs. 1, 2 and The notches 44 are so disposed as to normally hold the linger board 36 spaced above the neck 17 as shown in Fig. 1, allowing movement of said finger board toward and from the neck. The underside of the linger board 36 is gouged away as indicated at 49 (Fig. 4) near the lower end of the said finger board and is constructed with two grooves 50 and 51 at its upper end comnninicating with the gouged portion 49. The upper ends of these grooves 50 and 51 are reduced in size and covered by the butt portion 42 of the hinge-link These grooves receive the two strings 34 and 35' which are knotted at 52 and 53, said knots being caught in a gouged recess 53 in the I finger board 36 to secure said strings to said finger board. By tightening the pegs 21 and 22 to which the strings 27 and 28 are attached the portions 43 of the hinge link 38 are drawn snugly against the fulcrum posts 45 and 46 as best seen in Fig. 5. A spacer lug 41 on the cross member 41 of hinge-link 38 fits snugly between the fulcrum posts 45 and 46 and preventsany chattering of the hinge-link against the fulcrum posts as might otherwise occur upon sidewise movement of said hingelink.

For supporting the finger board 36 near its lower end the same is provided with. a

supporting yoke 54 formed with two arms 55 and 56 and with a studded portion 57 which is threaded into the finger board proper. Thissupporting yoke is preferably constructed of brass, though other metals may be used. The arms 55 and 56 are constructed with slots 58 and 59 which are arranged to slidably receive the edges of a leaf spring 60 tapered in. thickness and best shown in 4 and 9. This leaf spring is rigidly secured at its upper end to the lower end of the neck 17 innnediately above the shoulder 18 by means of screws 61 and 62 (Fig. 5) and extends along the underside of the finger board 36 a short distance beyond the supporting yoke 54. S n-mg 60 is engaged at its lower end by a cross bar 63 which is dove-tailed in the edges of the finger board 36 and bears down upon said lower end to bow the spring 66 toward the finger board throughout themajor portion thereof. In this manner all play between the edges of the spring 60 and the grooved arms 58 and 59 of the Supporting yoke 54 is taken up so that rattling and undesirable vibration of the finger board or supporting parts thereof during the operation of the violin is prevented. The strings and extend through the scrolls 64 of the bridge 30, over the crossbar 63 and along the grooves 50 and 51 to the upper end of the finger board 36 where the knots 52 and 53 in said strings are caught. Being so disposed the said strings 34 and 35 normally bear upon the cross bar 63 causing a slight pressure of the finger board. 36 against the spring 60 toward the body A. i i

The violin played in the usual manner. hen it desired to produce the tremolo tone the same is zmcomplished in vibrating the finger board by repeatedly depressing the same with the finger used for pressing the string against the frets of the finger board. This places a varyin degree of tension upon the violin string which produces the desired effect. The same results can be accomplished by usingtwo or more lingers in playing double triple and quadruple notes it being merely necessary for the player to find the proper position and then to vibrate the finger board as explained.

For the purpose of adjusting the device to vary the degree of tremor or vibration, 1 provide two riders 65 and 66, the former being adapted to ride upon the resilient hinge-link 38 and the latter adapted to ride upon the leaf spring 60. The rider 65 is best shown 1n detail in Fig. 6, the same consisting of a strip of 'metal arched in formation and terminating in two irnvardly bent bearings 67 and 68 adapted to ride along the upper edges 69 of the peg box 20 and support the arms 3 and 40 of the hinge-link 38 by engagement with the undersides of said arms. When the rider 65 is in position shown in full lines in Fig. 1, it permits of the maximum flexure of.

the resilient hinge-link 38 and gives the greatest degree of tremor. hen said rider is moved toward position shown in dotted lines inv Fig. 1, the flexure of the resilient hinge-link 3S lessened and when the same occupies position closely adjacent to the sad dlc 25, the finger board is held from movement and functions the same as an ordinary violin finger board. The rider 66, constructed as shown in Fig. 15, is formed with a recess 7 O which receives the spring 60. This rider is formed with ends 71 and 72 by means of which the same may be readily grasped by the player and shifted along the spring (30. ll'ith the rider 66 positioned as shown in Fig. 1, a maximum amount of tremor may be procured, while moved to its supporting position at the lower end of the neck 17, the lower end of the finger board 36 becomes immovable. By properly adjusting the two riders 65 and 66 any degree of tremolo tone may be procured. Shoulders al are formed at the upper end of the hinge-link 88. then the rider 65 is sprung over these shoulders, in the inopcrativc position thereof, said rider is prevented froin' otherwise possible rattling or chattering action. I

In applying my invention to violins having different heights of arching and having different bridges in which the side scrolls are situated at different elevations above the top of the body of the violin, I find it advisable to use different expediences for holding the finger board 36 in proper position between the strings and the neck of the violin. Ordinarily the cross bar (33 positioned as shown in Figs. 9 and 10 with the strings 3a and 35 resting in a depression. 73 in the said .cross bar 63 suflices. WVhen so disposed the said strings lie above the up per surface of the rider 66 which is held in frictional contact with the edges of the linger board 36 tin-(nigh the bowed spring 60. IVhen, however, the finger board 36 lies too close to the neck 17, the same may be elevated by interposing a spreader 74 bet-ween the edges of the finger board 36 and the strings 34 and 35, such as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. at. This spreader may be positioned at any locality along the lower end of the finger board preferably near the cross bar 63. On the other hand, when the finger board 36 lies too far away from the neck 17, the same may be brought closer thereto by constructing the cross bar 63 with bayonet slots 75 as shown in Figs. 11 and 1'2, through which the two cords 34: and 35 are threaded and which serve firmly to hold the said linger board in proper interi'nediate relation to the neck 17. r

In the construction of my improved violin, all of the dimensions of the violin are retained identically the same as in the usual violin so that the player does not encounter any difficulty in the use of the device. The

finger board being normally attached to the neck in the conventional violin, thesame is sufliciently reinforced thereby. In my invention the finger board being detached from the neck, I find it desirable to employ additional reinforcing means for the neck propertwo forms of such means being shown in detail in Figs. 7 and 8. In both forms, the neck of the violin is constructed with two spaced V-shaped grooves 7 G and 77 leaving aridge 79 therebetwecn. In the form shown in Fig. 7, a V-shaped strip of metal 78 is employed, which straddles the ridge 79 and-liessnugly against the inner walls of the grooves 76 and 77. In these two grooves are disposed wood strips 80 and 81 which are glued to the walls of said grooves and which serve firmly to clamp the metal reinforcing strip 78 in place. These strips being V-shaped in cross section hold said reinforcing strip rigidly connected with the neck proper and serve to reinforce and stiffens the same. In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 8, two separate metal strips 82 and 83 are employed, the two strips operating in identically the same manner as the strip 78 shown in Fig. 7. To prevent the neck 17 from spreading along the line of the attachment of the reinforcing strips thereto I use a cleat 100, best shown in Fig. 7, small nails 101 being driven through said clcat and into the neck 17 at either side of the grooves 76 and 77. The neck reinforcement embodying the V-shaped piece 78 (Fig. 7) contemplates the arching of said piece 78, as shown in F 5, whereby the neck 17 may be more securely held sti'flj' and straight. In both forms of neck reinforcement, the metallic strips 78 and 82 and 83 are reduced at their upper ends to accomn'iodate a wood block 25 upon which the saddle 25 is seated.

To prevent the ends of the strings 26 and 29 from chafing where they pass between the arms 39 and 10 of hinge-link 38, I form the interior of the pegbox 20 with two wood guards 85 and 86 which hold the said strings away from the edges of the arms 89 and 10. To limit the downward movement of the finger board 36 a number of pads 88 are employed as shown in Fig. 5,which cushion the said finger board when the same is rigidly.

pressed against the neck 17 and also prevent it from rattling.

My invention is highly meritorious in that it provides a simple and effective instrument. wherebybeginners, amateurs and ordinary violinists are able to produce the tremolo tone like a skilled player. The method of usmg my invention can be learned in an exceedingly short time and requires practical- 1y no skill whatsoever. The degree of tremor can be varied to suit the player and adjustments can be made so that the tremolo tone for high positions is equally as easily obtained as for 10w positions. The violin is played in the ordinary manner so that any player can play the instrument.

prehended that the same may be applied to. any type of stringed instrument and particularly to stringed instruments having a body portion with a neck attached thereto and I desire to have it understood that changes in the specific form of my invention as herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed without. departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is 1. In a stringed musical instrument, a body, strings, and a linger board underlying said strings, the linger board being yieldingly mounted and adapted to be vibrated to produce tremolo tones.

2. In a stringed musical instrument, a body, a neck issuing from said body, strings attached to said body and neck and superimposing said neck, a finger board underlying said strings, a resilient supporting mem her for one end of the finger board, and a second resilient supporting member for the other end of said finger board.

3. In a stringed musical instrument having a linger board, a resilient member supporting one end of said linger board, a sec-. ond resilient member supporting the other end of said finger board, and means for varying the tension in said resilient members. 4. In a stringed musical instrument, a body, a neck issuing from said body, strings attached to said body and neck and superimposing said neck, a linger board underlying said strings, a fulcrum for the end of said linger board, said linger board being adapted to move toward and from said neck, and means attached to the body of said instruinent for tensioning said linger board against said fulcrum.

5. In a stringed musical instrument, a body, a. neck issuing from said body, strings attached to said neck and body and'superimposing said neck, a linger board underlying said strings, said finger board being movable toward and from said neck.

6. In a stringed musical instrument, a neck iss'uin from said body, and including a head forming a peg box, pegs mounted in said head, a tail piece attached to said body, strings secured to said tail piece and to said pegs, a fulcrum attached to said head, a linger board pivoted to said fulcrum and underlying said strings, said finger board being movable toward and from said neck, one of .said strings being slidably turned back through said tail piece and connected to said linger board for tensioning the same against said fulcrum. t

7. In a stringed musical instrument comprising a body portion and a neck issuing outwardly from said body portion, a head attached to said neck and forming a peg box, pegs mounted in said head, a tail piece attached to said body portion, strings secured to said tail piece and to said pegs, a fulcrum attached to said head, a finger board pivoted to said fulcrum and underlying said strings, said linger board. being movable toward and from said neck, sheaves ournaled in said tail piece, certain of said strings passing around said sheaves and being attached to said finger board for tensioning the same against said fulcrum.

8. In a stringed musical instrument, aneck issuing from said body and including a head forming a peg box, pegs mounted in said head, a tail piece attached to said body, strings secured to said tail piece and to said pegs, a linger board underlying said strings, a resilient hinge-link attached to said linger board and constructed with a chisel edge, a fulcrum attached to said head, said chisel edge engaging said fulcrum, a leaf spring attached to said neck, means connecting said spring to said finger board, and means connected with said tail piecefor tensionin said hinge-link against said fulcrum.

9. In a stringed musical instrument, a body, a neck issuing from said body and including a head forming a peg box, pegs mounted in said head, a'tail piece attached to said body, strings secured to said tail and to said pegs, a linger board underlying said strings, a resilient link connecting the upper end of the fingerboard with said head, a leaf spring attached to said neck, means connecting said spring to said linger board, and means for independently varying the resiliency of said link and spring.

10. In a stringed musical instrument, a body, a neck issuing from said body and including a head forming a peg box, pegs mounted in said head, a tail piece attached to said body, strings secured to said tail piece and to said pegs, a linger board underlying said strings, a resilient link joining the linger board withthe head, a leaf spring attached to said neck, means connecting said spring to said finger board, and members slid-able along said link and spring for independently varying the tension thereof.

11. In a stringed musical instrument, a body, a neck issuing from said body and including a head forming a peg box, pegs mounted in said head, a tail piece attached to said body portion, strings secured to said tail piece and to said pegs, a finger board underlying said strings, a fulcrum secured to said head, a pivotal connection between said finger board and fulcrum, means for firmly maintaining said connection, and mama in];

said finger board. with said fulcrum, strings connected to said tail piece and to said finger board for tensioning said finger board against said fulcrum, and means cooperating with said strings for normally holding said finger board a predetermined distance from said neck.

13. In a stringed musical instrument, a body, a neck issuing from said body and including a head forming a peg box, pegs mounted in said head, a tail piece attached to said body, strings secured to said tail piece and to said pegs, a bridge supporting said strings between said neck and tail piece, said bridge having scrolls extending through the same near the lowermost portion thereof, a finger board underlying said strings and pivoted to said head to move toward and from said neck, and strings extending from said tail piece and attached to said finger board for tensioning said finger board against its pivot, said last named strings passing through the side scrolls in said bridge.

14. In. a stringed musical instrument, a body, a neck issuing therefrom, strings attached to said neck and body portion, a finger board underlying said strings, a link attached to the upper end of said finger board, fulcrum blocks attached to said neck, chisel edges formed on said link for engagement with said fulcrum blocks, a spring attached to said neck and overlying said body, a member attached to said finger board in proximity to the end of said spring, said member having grooves therein for slidably supporting said finger board relative to said spring, and means for tensioning said finger board to hold said chisel edges in Contact with said fulcrum blocks.

15. In a violin, a body, a neck, strings, a finger board having a normally resilient supporting means and adapted to be vibrated toward and from the body, and means for rendering said supporting means rigid.

16. In a violin, a body, a neck, strings, a finger board having independent and normally resilient supporting means at the ends thereof, whereby the finger board may be vibrated toward and from the body, and independent devices associated with said supporting means for varying the resiliency of said supporting means.

17. In a stringed musical instrument, a body, a neck issuing therefrom, strings at tached to the outer end of said neck and to said body portion, means for tensioning the strings, and means for reinforcing the neck comprising a metallic strip fixed longitudinally of said neck.

18. A stringed musical instrument havinga movably mounted finger board adapted to be vibrated by the fingers of the player.

In testimony whereof I have atlixed my signature to this specification.

JOHN N. NOVOTNY. 

